Espresso lovers will always find ways to grab a cup everyday. Those on a tight budget, however, will find purchasing a cup of coffee daily too costly. If you have $300 in your pocket, you can consider having your own espresso machine at home. While a unit costs way more than a cup of coffee, the long-term savings is big and satisfying enough to make it a worthy investment.

Best Espresso Machine Under $300

Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 Café Barista

Our reasons:

1. Cleans and stores easily
2. One Touch Control Panel convenient for single or double shot coffee options
3. Previous users are in unison in saying it gave them real satisfaction

Product Name	Standout Features	User Feedback	Pricing Level (Very low, Low, medium, High)	Our Rating
Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 Café Barista < View it at Amazon.com	One Touch Control Panel, Removable Milk Reservoir & Water reservoir fills, Automatic Milk Frother	Excellent	Medium	4.5 / 5
Philips Saeco RI9366	Easy reading control lights, Steam Wand with Pannarello Attachment, Removable 68-ounce water tank	Very Good	Medium	3.5/ 5
Breville ESP8XL	Stainless-steel espresso machine with 15-bar thermoblock pump, Dual-wall filter system, Large, easy-fill 1-2/7- quart water tank	Very good	Low	4.2 / 5
DeLonghi EC330-s	Pump-Driven Espresso Maker with stylish brushed stainless steel finish, in-built manual frothing arm, Easy to use	Very good	Medium	4 / 5
Capresso EC PRO	Brews 1 or 2 espressos at a time, Advanced pump boiler, 15 bar pump brews espresso and Capuccino	Very good	Low	4 / 5
DeLonghi EC680 Dedica	Thermo block technology with automatic flow stop, Stainless Steel Construction, Cappuccino Frothing system for Barista quality foam	Very good	High	4 / 5
Gaggia 16100	44-ounce reservoir, easy-to-use controls, sleek thermo-set plastic housing	Good	Medium	3 / 5

Espresso Machines Under $300

Gaggia 16100

The Gaggia 16100 is a commercial-grade espresso machine with a design that can snugly fit your countertop. It has an aesthetically-pleasing look that will complement your kitchen, too. This machine is capable of brewing your favorite cup of coffee in just minutes. It comes with a dual-heating boiler that heats up faster than most espresso makers on this list.

This machine also comes with a Perfect Crema device that allows you to create a perfect foam with ease. Best of all, you are free to use the popular Illy pods. You can enjoy a quick coffee fix anytime you want using these popular espresso pods without leaving your home.

Philips Saeco RI9366

The Philips Saeco RI9366/47 espresso machine comes with a wide array of features that will surely capture your attention. This powerful coffee maker is fully-equipped and easy to use even with a reasonable price tag. It comes with a pressurized portafilter in order to produce the maximum flavor from each coffee granule.

Its Pannarello steam wand allows you to add froth to your coffee the way you want, as well as hot water to create other types of hot beverages. Another good thing about this machine is that it is fairly easy to clean, thanks to its removable water tank and drip tray. Busy people can enjoy a quick coffee fix using the machine’s ESE pod adaptor that comes with a filter basket.

Breville ESP8XL

 

The Breville ESP8XL is a high quality espresso machine with a stainless steel construction to ensure durability. It boasts a 15-bar pressure pump that produces the best-tasting espresso shot. There is also a cup warming plate that helps keep your cup warm as you prepare the espresso. One great thing about this machine is that you can warm six cups at once, so you can serve coffee to your friends and/or family in no time.

The large water tank gets filled up easily to make the coffee-making process as quick as possible. There is an external water window indicator to keep your water levels high each time you plan to brew your favorite coffee. In addition, the ESP8XL comes with a removable drip for easy cleaning. All of these feature will guarantee that you can always have a perfect brew in your own home.

DeLonghi EC330-s

 

The DeLonghi EC330-s is capable of creating a perfectly-brewed espresso shot that is rich in flavor, thanks to its 15-bar pressure pump that extracts every bit of the coffee granule. You can use this machine either with freshly ground coffee beans or with a pod. This way, you can enjoy a good cup of coffee even on a busy day.

Its stainless steel construction guarantees durability and convenience. Since it does not rust easily, you are sure to enjoy espresso shots in your own home for a long time. Its construction also allows for easy cleaning. Other interesting features include the transparent water reservoir, the built-in manual frothing arm, and a deep removable drip tray. All of these allow the machine to make high-quality espresso with ease that even beginners will surely enjoy.

Capresso EC PRO

 

The EC PRO features an advanced pump boiler that keeps a generous amount of hot water, as well as a 15-bar pressure pump designed to create a rich-tasting crema. This espresso machine can produce up to two cups of coffee in minutes, something that busy users will surely appreciate. With these interesting features, the EC PRO can deliver a perfectly-brewed coffee to excite your mornings.

There are two espresso filters available with this machine. One of these two allows you to make a nice espresso shot with ease, while the other allows you to manually create your brew. This machine is perfect for people who want ease-of-use, but they can always go for something more than just a push of a button.

DeLonghi EC680 Dedica

 

The DeLonghi EC680 Dedica comes with a sleek design that is appealing to the eyes. It is designed to sit well on your kitchen counter and taking only around six inches of space. This is perfect for coffee lovers with a limited kitchen area.

You should have your perfectly-brewed coffee in a matter of minutes, thanks to its thermo-block technology that allows the machine to heat up in seconds. In addition, this espresso machine is made of stainless steel to ensure durability. This material also makes it easier for you to clean it up. Best of all, the EC680 Dedica is user-friendly, so beginners can create their coffee hassle-free.

Mr. Coffee BVMC-ECMP1000 Café Barista

 

This Mr. Coffee espresso machine will make your coffee-brewing experience a breeze. It comes with touch-button features that allow you to create your preferred brew. The control panel is easy to read and use. You can simply choose single- or double-shot espresso, latte, or cappuccino.

The milk frother, on the other hand, automatically makes the best froth for your desired drink. Leftover milk should not be a problem as the milk tank is removable. The portafilter has single- or double-shot filters, so your favorite espresso should come out in no time. The entire unit includes a measuring scoop with tamper, as well.

Conclusion

A good quality espresso machine should meet your coffee-making needs. You can either invest in a commercial-grade espresso machine or go for one that is simple to use. Many espresso machines today have a stainless steel construction. This material lets the machine last longer and easier to clean.

Busy people can look for a coffee maker with features that allow it to make your favorite brew in seconds. With the numerous options available today, it is now possible to purchase the best espresso machine under 300 that can meet your daily coffee needs. You no longer have to spend tons of money just to buy your favorite brew at the local coffee shop.

 

Espresso Machine Buying Guide

What better way there is to enjoy coffee than to grind fresh beans in an espresso machine, pour cream or milk, and serve it over and over again while it is still hot? Choosing the right espresso machine can get tricky at times, and you need to consider factors such as personal coffee preference, volume of coffee to be prepared, budget, and style. There is no perfect machine but there is one that would be most suitable to your needs.

Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine

Coffee maker and espresso have one primary function that is to make hot or cold coffee. However, the big difference is the amount of pressure applied to the machine resulting to the quality of the finely grind coffee bean. Most coffee maker does not come with a grinder although it is equipped with filter nets to separate the coarse coffee particles from the fine powder. A simple coffee maker has the same function as boiling coffee over continuous hot temperature. Milk, cream, or sugar can be mixed in afterward.

Meanwhile, an espresso machine has more complex processes except that it does not include grinding. You may have to buy a decent grinder because fresh roasted beans get stale after about 30 minutes or so. To better understand, espresso is defined as the blended coffee from a variety of roasts to produce a bold but not necessarily a bitter flavor.

Heavy-duty espresso machines have boilers where water is kept and heated through a coil. Temperature is fixed and accurately measured with the use of a water heat controller. Another important component of an espresso machine is the pressure gauge. This should be maintained at 1.5 bar to produce a good steam. The portafilter is where the final espresso flows into a cup.

Types of Espresso Machines

If the espresso machine is for home use only, opt for the simpler ones. Super-automatic espresso machines manufactured by Saeco, Jura, and Delonghi are typically seen in cafes or bars. Complex machines may also require training and education, something that cannot be simply obtained by reading the product manual.

There are four types of espresso machines – manual, semi auto, full auto, and super automatic.

1. Manual machines are more complicated to operate than advanced models because it does not keep constant pressure. The user will have to manually pour in water affecting the overall quality of the brew.
2. Semi-auto machines have automated boiler temperature controls with built-in electric pumps. This takes away the hassle of manually pouring water into the machine, and it is one of the most preferred type today.
3. Fully-auto ones have similar advantages like the semi-auto except that it has the ability to regulate the amount of water passed into the machine.
4. Super automatic is equipped with the bells, whistles, and timer. It also has a sophisticated system with built-in grinder requiring regular maintenance.

Invest on Coffee Grinders

Grinders, as part of the preparation stage for espresso, are absolute must-haves. Some espresso machines have combined grinders, but experts advise against its impracticality. A decent quality grinder costs about $250 and above and it is expected to last for years. Pounding coffee beans is just a tiresome work and not many of you have the luxury of time and energy to do that.

Longevity

How long do you intend to own an espresso machine? How often will it be used? Machines imported from Europe are usually handmade with complex functionalities and specialized parts. If you intend to use the machine for 10 years or so, it might do good to invest on a $1,200 unit cash or through installment payment. You also have to consider your level of expertise or your desire to learn professional barista skills.

Tips in Buying

• Saving money does not always mean cutting the price down. Consider the warranty, accessories, and the brand reputation.
• Go for positive reviews than catchy advertisements. Narrow your options into three and then research for consumer feedbacks.
• Do not rely on minimum advertised price (MAP). While there are suggested retail prices for espresso machines depending on the features and brand, not all vendors adhere to this. To be on the safe side, allot an additional 10 percent to 15 percent of the MAP to get a good sense of the current market prices.